THE BEATLES tape rejected by Decca records
The Beatles’ audition tape that was infamously rejected by a record company boss -because he thought guitar groups were ‘on the way out - has been discovered after 50 years.
The fledgling group were also told ‘they had no future in showbusiness’ following the 1962 audition, during which they recorded a ten-track demo tape.
The decision by a Decca Records’ executive still stands as one of the worst judgement calls made in music history.
Within months John, Paul, George and original drummer Pete Best had signed with EMI and went on to become the greatest band of all time.
Now the original safety master tape the group recorded at Decca’s London studios on New Year’s Day 1962 has come to public light for the first time.
It is thought the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein held on to the tape he had paid to make, and later gave it to an executive associated with EMI.
He sold it in 2002 to a prolific buyer of music memorabilia, who is now selling it at auction with a pre-sale estimate of £30,000.
The recording has never been officially released and the sound quality on it is said to be pristine.
At the time of the recording Epstein had visited several record companies with the hope of securing a contract for the Beatles - then called the Silver Beatles. On New Year’s Eve 1961 the band were driven from Liverpool to London but ended up taking 10 hours to get there as the driver got lost.
The following day they were auditioned by Decca producer To n y Meehan.
Epstein selected the material and chose ten cover songs the Beatles had previously performed in various clubs.
But the band failed to impress Decca executive Dick Rowe who turned them down, believing ‘guitar groups are on the way out.’
A HANDWRITTEN NOTE STUCK ON THE COVER FOR THE TAPE LISTS THE 10 SONGS AND THEIR LENGTH. THERE IS ALSO A PHOTO NEGATIVE OF PAUL MCCARTNEY, JOHN LENNON, GEORGE HARRISON AND PETE BEST THAT THEY TOOK WITH THEM TO THE AUDITION, AND WOULD HAVE BEEN USED AS THE ALBUM COVER HAD THEY WON THE CONTRACT
The ten tracks on the 12-inch audio tape include Money (That’s What I Want), Like Dreamers Do, Take Good Care Of My Baby, Three Cool Cats, Love Of The Loved, Memphis and Crying Waiting Hoping.
A handwritten note stuck on the cover for the tape lists the 10 songs and their length. There is also a photo negative of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Pete Best that they took with them to the audition, and would have been used as the album cover had they won the contract.
Instead of the Beatles, Decca Records signed up the Tremeloes, who auditioned the same day. They did later go on to sign the Rolling Stones.
Within weeks after signing with EMI, it was decided to replace drummer Pete Best with Ringo Star.